Blog: Thai military to keep food distribution moving

Dean Best | 25 October 2011

Thailand's worst floods for 50 years have killed hundreds, displaced thousands and disrupted distribution and supply chain networks throughout the country.

Multinational retailers like Tesco and Casino have seen their operations affected and now the Thai military has said it would step in to help food reach stores in the capital, Bangkok.

A report in The Bangkok Post said today (25 October) that Thailand's armed forces were ready to help keep the food supply chain moving.

Defence minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said it had been asked by Casino's local subsidiary Big C to help distribute products into the Thai capital.

The floods are closing in on the city and the Thai authorities are battling to stop the water making inroads into the capital.

Reuters said today that the Thai government planned to relax tariffs on food after hoarding by residents affected by the floods.

Last week, Tesco and Casino told just-food how the floods had hit their operations. Both retailers have closed stores and seen their supply chains affected.